Church Get Together

This weekend saw us having a bye for netball and football so was a great opportunity for us to all get together as a church family.

There are a few families in our church that a doing it pretty tough at the moment, so we thought it would be a good idea to just spend time in fellowship and friendship. It was a lovely relaxed night out, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food (which was cooked by Kym, a camp oven which is his specialty!) and just spending time together.

We had two camp ovens. One full of chicken (those are Kym's hands trying to squeeze in one more!), and one with lamb and beef. The meat was cooked to perfection and everyone was full of praise for Kym's efforts. I was just full of praise that Kym was at a church event!

Kym, Scott and I went down to the church early as the meat had to be put on to cook at around 3pm. We sat around the fire and enjoyed a cuppa and Kym and Scott took the opportunity to have a kick of the footy. I love this shot of Scott. He has just kicked the ball. He's taken his shoes off (and run around in the dirt in white socks!!!) because he can kick further that way. Of course. Silly me. Why didn't I think of that.


Here is everyone toasting marshmallows over the fire. I just love a toasted marshmallow! I love to burn it, then eat off the burnt layer and toast it again until it's all gone!

Here are the "second tier" group of teenagers. The older group (Stephanie's age) weren't there as they are all off on a youth camp for the first week of the school holidays.

And here we have a few of us sitting around the campfire, tummies full and enjoying some great company!

Thankyou Lord for events such as this where Kym is happy to be involved in a church function. I pray that being surrounded by wonderful encouraging people like this will help soften his heart toward you and allow him to let you in.

Kym's Health

Good morning everyone.

I wonder if you could spare a minute for a quick prayer this morning...

Kym is off to the doctor to have his blood pressure checked.

About 8 years ago we discovered by accident (he ended up in hospital after coming off his motorbike, so had his blood pressure taken) that Kym has ridiculously high blood pressure. He also has high cholesterol.

After lots of tests there was no cause found for either condition, other than hereditary. His Mum has high blood pressure, his grandpa on his Mum's side died at the age of 52 from a heart attack.

Kym isn't overweight. Doesn't smoke (anymore). Doesn't drink to excess. He is physically fit and leads a pretty healthy lifestyle.

So, he was put on medication, which fixed both problems.

Until now.

In the past couple of years his blood pressure has been on the rise again. A month ago the doctor changed his medication. He was warned that this may make his blood pressure drop significantly and to be careful when standing up as he may be light headed.

Well. This super strength medication has brought his blood pressure down. A little. It certainly hasn't made him light headed.

Today he visits the doctor again for a check up. If the doctor isn't happy with his progress he may increase the dosage, or send Kym to a heart specialist.

To be honest, I'd rather he just went to the heart specialist. With his family history I'd like to know what's going on.

Lord, I pray that the doctor will give Kym a clear course of action today. And that we will find answers to his health issues. Please give the doctor clarity and help him make the right decision with regard to Kym.

Washing Machine Saga part 678

It's been TWO WEEKS people!

Still no washing machine!

Apparently we are still waiting for parts. How long can it possibly take? Are they coming on a slow boat from China? Is this boat being rowed with tiny little oars?

Am I the only person who thinks it's unreasonable to cope without a washing machine while working full time and doing the laundry of a whole family? Especially when one of those family members is a teenage girl?

Somebody please come and dig me out from this mountain of dirty laundry that I am buried under! It smells really bad under here!

Twin Cousins

These beautiful girls were born one day apart. We call them our twins. But really, they couldn't be any more different if they tried. They are fair and dark, chalk and cheese, night and day.



Amber (in the pink) is bright and breezy, bubbly and carefree. She goes with the flow and if she is upset or down she manages to hide it and greet you with a smile. Steph (in the blue) is brooding and intense, fiercly loyal and demanding. When she is upset you know about it, if she is grumpy you will not get a smile out of her! If Steph wants something she will tell you (really tell you!), whereas Amber has more subtle (insert "sneeky"!) ways of getting her own way.This has caused more than a few conflicts as they've grown up. They have had some huge fights. They have disliked each other intensely (well more intensely on Steph's side, because she is the intense one!)

Who knows what life has in store for these beautiful young women. Whatever it is they will always have each other to fall back on. They may intensely hate each other at times, but they always forgive, and always remember they love each other, and I hope they always will.

Green with Envy!

Tomorrow, a very dear friend of mine (Lightening) is leaving for a HUGE holiday.

She is taking her husband, and her three kids along the East Coast of Australia in a caravan for three whole months.

I'm so jealous!

I'm also extremely happy and excited for her. If anyone deserves good things to happen to her it's Lightening. She has been an absolute blessing to me and I treasure her friendship immensely.

But I'm also sad.

I won't see her for three whole months! I know I will hear from her, and I will be able to keep tabs on her via her blog, but that's not the same as a cuppa and a chat, or a prayer after church when I really need it. And she always seems to know when I really need it.

Lord, please be with Lightening and her family as they make final preparations today for their big trip. Please watch over them as they travel and grant them safe passage. I know they will bless everyone they meet, and I pray that they meet many interesting people and enjoy every moment they spend together.

Grace

I have a friend who I'm quite sure is in my life to repeatedly give me lessons on grace.

She frustrates me.

Sometimes she makes me really really angry.

But I still love her. Most of the time.

This weekend was a time when she really got me hot under the collar. It happened on Saturday. And I stewed over it for the rest of the day. Then I stewed over it all night. By the time it was time to go to church on Sunday I was all set to confront her. For those of you who don't know me that means I was really cross! I avoid confrontation like the plague! Hate it!

So, I get to church and Melissa, who was worship leading and playing the piano at once asked me if I could sing the songs for her.

Even though I was grumpy, I still said yes to that. Never pass up an opportunity to sing!

So there I am, standing up in church, singing worship songs. Looking straight at my friend who I was really really cross with. And do you know what? The anger and resentment just left me. It was completely lifted and I was able to forgive her once again.

She will annoy me again. Without even knowing she's done it. She is notorious for treading on people's toes, and I'm quite sure she has no clue that she has upset anyone. Even when someone tells her, she is so thick skinned it just doesn't compute.

But she is also one of the most loving, giving and genuine people I know. If you ever need help she is always the first one there. And when she stood facing me in church today, her face shining as she sang for the glory of the Lord I remembered that just like me she is the daughter of a King, and it's not my place to judge her. I just have to love her for her who she is and keep forgiving her. Even when she doesn't know she has upset me, and doesn't even realise that I'm forgiving her.

And that's really hard sometimes.

Makes me realise how lucky I am that I have the Lord who keeps forgiving me. Keeps showing me grace when I deserve the opposite.

God's Garden

A couple of weeks ago I had a great time with my Dad's fantastic camera around our farm and garden. The resulting photos fill me with wonder at God's creation, and joy that I am His child. Stopping and "smelling the roses" like this makes me so thankful and full of praise, and the worship leader in me is immediately reminded of a song....

Into your hands, I commit again,

All I am for you Lord.

You hold my world in the palm of your hand,

And I am yours forever.

Jesus I believe in you,

Jesus I belong to you,

You're the reason that I live,

The reason that I sing,

With all Iam

I will walk with you wherever you go

Through tears and joy

I'll trust in you

And I will live in all of your ways

Your promises forever

Jesus I believe in you,

Jesus I belong to you,

You're the reason that I live,

The reason that I sing

With all Iam.

The song is called "With All Iam" and it's always been a special one to me. It just really speaks to me...

And in case you are wondering, the moisture on the flowers isn't from being watered. It's from RAIN!!! Over the last few days we have had a wonderful, steady soaking. Thanks so much for your prayers, keep up the good work! Regular rain through to September will ensure we have a viable crop.